Reduced Risk Vegetation Management in Wild Blueberries

     The proposed project spans from the initial selection of herbicides and herbicidal products that have the potential for use in blueberry fields, through the screening of those products, to the evaluation of products for potential minor use registration. It also encompasses the use of new technologies and the incorporation of this technology with existing management practices. The demand for the proposed research has been establish through support from industry and from Atlantic Canadian blueberry growers. Blueberry growers have expressed to the scientific community that weed control is an issue of high priority. There is recognition that an improvement in weed control programs will result in a reduction in cost and therefore an economic benefit. The field trials have been designed to achieve results efficiently and to facilitate technology transfer to other groups in the scientific community such as the PMRA. The methodology chosen has been successful in producing clear and unbiased results in the past, and is a method accepted by the PMRA. Trials have also been designed to be incorporated in to a selected site with minimal impact on the surrounding environment.

Project Objectives :

     The objectives of the proposed research are to evaluate and demonstrate new herbicide products in support of minor use registration that have the potential to be used in association with industry standard weed control products. Emphasis will be put on products that are environmentally conscious and can be incorporated into a sustainable IPM program.

     This project will also investigate IPM strategies that will integrate the use of alternative weed control products with herbicide use patterns that enable greater flexibility in production decisions affecting herbicide application use, rate and timing.

     In order to adapt to the rapidly changing technologies that this project initiative presents, it is important to have highly qualified personnel in place to implement these changes that will have a profound impact on management decisions. Training of personnel through this project will help advance the transition occurring in the blueberry industry.

Results:

Data resulting from this project has assited in the registration of Callisto™ (mesotrione) as an emergency use in Lowbush Blueberry for Atlantic Canada and Quebec.

Industry Support: